Kristal Eckhardt is the new director of The Barn Theatre's summer camp. She was the director of The Barn's summer camp from 1987 to 1994, and after her recent retirement as drama director for Martin County High School for 32 years, Eckhardt returned to the theater as a performer and subsequently accepted the position of Summer Camp director. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY CHRIS MAZZELLA

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The Barn Theatre's summer camp is limited to 32 campers, so each studentgets personalized attention. Here, campers show off their makeup after learning how to apply it.(Photo: Chris Mazzella/For Luminaries)

For starters, the program has many unique features. It provides a well-rounded theater experience where campers learn many aspects of theater, including acting, singing, dance, lighting, sound, costumes, make-up, management, publicity, auditioning skills and improvisational techniques.

Kristal Eckhardt is the new director of The Barn Theatre's summer camp. She was the director of The Barn's summer camp from 1987 to 1994, and after her recent retirement as drama director for Martin County High School for 32 years, Eckhardt returned to the theater as a performer and subsequently accepted the position of Summer Camp director.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY CHRIS MAZZELLA)

And, perhaps most importantly, The Barn Theatre's summer camp is limited to only 32 campers, so each student gets personalized attention and, because of the limited number, it can feature them all in the camp show. The students don't just get a few minutes of stage time in a camp showcase.

Undoubtedly, the most exciting news about The Barn Theatre's summer camp is the selection of Kristal Eckhardt as its new director.

Eckhardt brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program. She was the director of The Barn's summer camp from 1987 to 1994, and after her recent retirement as drama director for Martin County High School for 32 years, Eckhardt returned to the theater as a performer and subsequently accepted the position of Summer Camp director.

Eckhardt has a bachelor's degree in theater and education and a master's degree in theater education.

As part of the summer camp program, the campers put on their own main stage production.

This year, Eckhardt and staff will be directing the young performers in a musical comedy, “The Grunch,” the 2012 NYC Youth Musical Theatre winning show.

Inspired by “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” “The Grunch” tells the story of Rudy Grunch, a grumpy sixth-grader who always feels like an outsider. When the entire school gets excited about the annual school musical, he comes up with a perfect plan to ruin it for everyone: He'll steal the sets, costumes, and lights the night before it opens. But will the spirit of theater prevail?

Eckhardt’s theme for the camp is “Reach for the Stars” and her vision is to dedicate The Barn's summer camp to creating a collaborative learning environment with high quality education in the performing arts, all intended to engage campers in self discovery, creative expression, and achieving self-confidence.

“Our aim is to elicit creative self-expression, critical thinking, and artistry through our theater course offerings and main stage production as students grow as performers, designers, and stage technicians,” she said.

And she is committed to producing shows that will continue to delight, entertain, and educate audiences. In fact, five recent campers were cast in the acclaimed Barn Theatre production of Mel Brook's musical "Young Frankenstein" and did exceptionally well.

The Barn Theatre's summer camp is a four-week theater camp for beginners to advanced, third- through 10th-grade students. Camp dates are July 9 to Aug. 5. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The campers' main stage production, “The Grunch,” will have three performances on Aug. 3, 4, 5.

For more information about the camp, including camp registration, visit the Barn Theatre's website at www.barn-theatre.com; or visit or call The Barn's box office at 772-287-4884.